Short & Sweet - Getting to Know "Becki"

It's been a while since I've had time to write...  A lot has changed since my last post.  I graduated nursing school and am currently working as a nurse - crazy!  I've enrolled in an online RN to BSN nursing program - in order to get my bachelors in nursing.  My first class is titled: "Understanding Worldviews," which I'm totally excited for!  For my first assignment I had to right a short autobiography and I thought I would share it with all of you. Throughout this semester  you can absolutely guarantee that I will be sharing with all of you, the new and exciting things I will be learning. 

Short & Sweet Autobiography 

Here’s a little glimpse into my life.  I am 26 years old, and a Nazarene “PK,” pastor’s kid.  My family has moved around more than the average family typically would.  I am the oldest child of three.  My sister is currently employed and living on her own, and my brother is a big freshman in college - showing off his athletic skills on the university football team!  Many people ask me, "Are you married?"  No, I am not.  It can be extremely discouraging the older I get, but as you will read below I know I'm exactly where God wants me.  I've come to accept the fact that even if I never fulfill my lifelong dream of being married and having my own family, I am fulfilling God's purpose in my life, and that above all things is my life's greatest accomplishment!

1 Corinthians 6:19-20a NIV

"Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price." 

In May I graduated from the University of Alaska Anchorage with my associates’ degree in nursing.  I am employed at the local hospital as a Registered Nurse in obstetrics.  I consider myself extremely blessed to have the opportunity to begin my nursing career in my chosen specialty. 

I am currently attending Colorado Christian University because I loved the basis of CCU’s RN to BSN online program, nursing with a Christ centered perspective.  There were other universities that I was looking into, but God made it abundantly clear that CCU was where I should attend.  It was the only university that required me to complete one pre-requisite class before starting the core classes for the RN to BSN program, my enrollment counselor total me it was extremely rare for that to happen. 

 

I’m very excited to be enrolled and participating in the "Understanding Worldviews" class.  I want to leave this class with a stronger and clearer perspective into what I believe and why.  However, please don’t misunderstand what I’m saying.  I do know why I have the beliefs that I do, but how often do we challenge ourselves to think harder and deeper about them.  There are so many things that we all assume or take for granted.  For example, a child asking the question, “why,” and the parent responding, “because I said so.”  Leaving the child with no real definitive reason as to why.  With that being said, I want to discover what my worldviews are, with a strong biblically based perspective as to why I believe the way I do.      

We all have a purpose and whether we know what our purpose is or not, it’s still there.  Why do we live each day, going through routines day in and day out?  I've often found myself asking God, “What am I doing here, am I fulfilling your calling for my life?”   I get up each day, because I know whether it be something as simple as making someone smile, or as large as speaking the Word of God into someone’s life – I have a purpose and as I daily commit myself to God’s will, He will fulfill that purpose in my life.  I trust that God has me exactly where he wants me, and I daily look for opportunities, wherever I am, to make a difference for his kingdom. 

1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV

“So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”  

Unconditional Love

I’ve been thinking a lot about love.  There are so many types of love, but let’s focus on unconditional love.  What is it?  The answer seems all too simple – unconditional love is to love no matter what the circumstance is, no matter what a person has done.  Simply put it is to love at all times - a love that never fails, that never abandons, that never ceases.  Who do you unconditionally love?  Who unconditionally loves you?  Who would you be without ever experiencing unconditional love?  That’s a loaded question – we don’t realize how much giving and receiving unconditional love impacts our lives.   

As Christians we are called to have unconditional love for everyone, just as God shows us unconditional love.  God’s love for us is not dependant on how we live our lives.  We are all sinners, we don’t deserve unconditional love, yet we still receive it!  AMAZING! 

Hosea 1:2

“When the Lord first began speaking to Israel through Hosea, he said to him, “Go and marry a prostitute, so that some of her children will be conceived in prostitution. This will illustrate how Israel has acted like a prostitute by turning against the Lord and worshiping other gods.””

God instructed Hosea to marry a prostitute, and Hosea was obedient.  This marriage became a life lesson for Hosea demonstrating unconditional love.  The Israelites were once faithful and wholeheartedly following God, but they turned from Him and began worshiping idols.  Despite God’s chosen people turning from him and living in sin – God still loved them.  Nothing that the Israelites did would cause God to stop loving them.  The same was true for Hosea and his love for his wife.  Hosea’s wife eventually returned to her adulterous ways and left Hosea for another man.  Yet, in Hosea chapter 3, we read that Hosea buys back his wife.  Even though Gomer had done a horrendous thing, Hosea showed his wife unconditional love by taking his hard earned wages and bringing her back home.  God did the same thing for the Israelites – time and time again the Israelites turned from God, yet no matter how many times they turned from him – God still loved them and accepted them back.     

Hosea 3

“Then the Lord said to me, “Go and love your wife again, even though she commits adultery with another lover. This will illustrate that the Lord still loves Israel, even though the people have turned to other gods and love to worship them.”  So I bought her back for fifteen pieces of silver and five bushels of barley and a measure of wine. Then I said to her, “You must live in my house for many days and stop your prostitution. During this time, you will not have sexual relations with anyone, not even with me.” This shows that Israel will go a long time without a king or prince, and without sacrifices, sacred pillars, priests, or even idols! But afterward the people will return and devote themselves to the Lord their God and to David’s descendant, their king. In the last days, they will tremble in awe of the Lord and of his goodness.”

That same love that Hosea had for his wife and that God had for the Israelites is the same love God shows us today!  No matter how bad we feel we have messed up, God NEVER stops loving you!  Remember, that God calls us to love unconditionally too!  Who are you not loving unconditionally?  There are always people in our lives that are harder to love than others.  The ones that are hard to love are the ones that need it the most.  I would not be the person I am today without the unconditional love that my heavenly Father has given me, as well as, my family and friends.  Unconditional love is HUGE!  You can be the difference between someone seeing or not seeing God’s unconditional love.  God calls us to love the unlovable, to reach the unreachable, to touch the untouchable!     

“Forgiveness” By: Matthew West

It’s the hardest thing to give away
And the last thing on your mind today
It always goes to those that don’t deserve

It’s the opposite of how you feel
When the pain they caused is just to real
It takes everything you have just to say the word…

Forgiveness
Forgiveness

It flies in the face of all your pride
It moves away the mad inside
It’s always anger’s own worst enemy
Even when the jury and the judge
Say you gotta right to hold a grudge
It’s the whisper in your ear saying ‘Set It Free’

Forgiveness, Forgiveness
Forgiveness, Forgiveness
Show me how to love the unlovable
Show me how to reach the unreachable
Help me now to do the impossible
Forgiveness, Forgiveness

Help me now to do the impossible
Forgiveness

It’ll clear the bitterness away
It can even set a prisoner free
There is no end to what it’s power can do
So, let it go and be amazed
By what you see through eyes of grace
The prisoner that it really frees is you

Forgiveness, Forgiveness
Forgiveness, Forgiveness
Show me how to love the unlovable
Show me how to reach the unreachable
Help me now to do the impossibleForgiveness
I want to finally set it free
So show me how to see what Your mercy sees
Help me now to give what You gave to meForgiveness, Forgiveness

Box God

Do you ever find yourself doubtful?  When God tells you to do something, do you lack the faith to do it?  Do you ask for signs from God?  How many times have you not completely trusted what God has told you?  It’s easy to ask God: “if this truly is your will, please show me by doing ____.”  The moment we doubt God, is the moment we are lacking faith.  God doesn’t want us to be filled with unbelief; He wants us to be obedient without hesitation when He tells us to do something.      

Judges 6:36-40

“Then Gideon said to God, “If you are truly going to use me to rescue Israel as you promised, prove it to me in this way. I will put a wool fleece on the threshing floor tonight. If the fleece is wet with dew in the morning but the ground is dry, then I will know that you are going to help me rescue Israel as you promised.” And that is just what happened. When Gideon got up early the next morning, he squeezed the fleece and wrung out a whole bowlful of water. Then Gideon said to God, “Please don’t be angry with me, but let me make one more request. Let me use the fleece for one more test. This time let the fleece remain dry while the ground around it is wet with dew.” So that night God did as Gideon asked. The fleece was dry in the morning, but the ground was covered with dew.”

Gideon needed to be certain that God was going to do what He promised He would do.  He was so fearful that He would be defeated by the Midianites.  Gideon had all the facts, He knew what God was asking Him to do, yet he still hesitated.  He delayed in being obedient to God, because He needed more reassurance, more proof that God would do as He said He would.

We may not be going to war against a vast number of Midianites, but we do face our own trials each and every day.  Are you constantly asking God for “visible” signs to confirm what you already know to be true?  When we do this we are putting limitations on God, we are asking Him to fit our expectations.  God does not fit into the little box that we occasionally open when we need Him.  God is all knowing, all powerful – He is who He says He is and He will do as He says He will!  Who are we to doubt what God is commanding us to do? 

Isaiah 40:28

“Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding.”

So, what is holding you back today?  Are you living in unbelief, do you only pull out God when you need Him?  We have all the facts, we know who God is, we know what He can do, and we have the source to back it up – God’s Word! 

 2 Timothy 3:16-17

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.”

Don’t let a “fleece” become the proof that you need to be fully confident in our God!  Our God is greater, our God is stronger – so be confident.  With God we will NOT be defeated!

 “Our God” By: Chris Tomlin

 Water, You turned into wine
Opened the eyes of the blind
There's no one like You
None like You

Into the darkness, You shine
Out of the ashes we rise
There's no one like You
None like You

Our God is greater
Our God is stronger
God, You are higher than any other
Our God is healer
Awesome in power
Our God, our God

Into the darkness, You shine
Out of the ashes, we rise
There's no one like You
None like You

Our God is greater
Our God is stronger
God, You are higher than any other
Our God is healer
Awesome in power
Our God, our God

Our God is greater
Our God is stronger
God, You are higher than any other
Our God is healer
Awesome in power
Our God, our God

And if our God is for us
Then who could ever stop us
And if our God is with us
Then what could stand against

And if our God is for us
Then who could ever stop us
And if our God is with us
Then what could stand against
Then what could stand against

Our God is greater
Our God is stronger
God, You are higher than any other
Our God is healer
Awesome in power
Our God, our God

Our God is greater
Our God is stronger
God, You are higher than any other
Our God is healer
Awesome in power
Our God, our God

And if our God is for us
Then who could ever stop us
And if our God is with us
Then what could stand against

And if our God is for us
Then who could ever stop us
And if our God is with us
Then what could stand against
What could stand against
What could stand against

All Alone?

How often do you trust God to handle the small things, yet when it comes to much larger issues your faith grows dim?  Why do we doubt his ability to handle the BIG things, the tough decisions, the scary situations?  I have been on a journey to finish my nursing degree, and as I’m in my last semester of nursing school, I find myself afraid and doubtful that I might not finish, that I won’t be able to get a job after graduation, and that I might fail the NCLEX (RN licensure exam)…  However, this morning as I was reading about the Israelites entering the promise land, I was reminded that no matter what the situation is God will see it through.  I shouldn’t stop trusting God just as I’m about to reach my goal!  As I look back on all that God has done for me, I remember that He has ALWAYS taken care of me, so why doubt now!

 Numbers 14:5-9

“Then Moses and Aaron fell face down on the ground before the whole community of Israel. Two of the men who had explored the land, Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, tore their clothing. They said to all the people of Israel, “The land we traveled through and explored is a wonderful land! And if the Lord is pleased with us, he will bring us safely into that land and give it to us. It is a rich land flowing with milk and honey. Do not rebel against the Lord, and don’t be afraid of the people of the land. They are only helpless prey to us! They have no protection, but the Lord is with us! Don’t be afraid of them!”

In Numbers chapter 13, the Lord instructed Moses to send 12 men to explore the land of Canaan – the land that the Lord promised to the Israelites.  When the men came back they gave reports of fortified cities with walls 20 feet thick and 25 feet tall, surrounded by guards, and the cities were filled with formidable men – 7 to 9 feet tall!  You can imagine how this looked to the Israelites – pretty intimidating right?!  Because of this fear, 10 of the men spread their own hesitations throughout the entire Israelite community.  They began to doubt that God would enable them to enter the land.  How could they - their armies were not near as big or as strong as what they were about to face in battle…  Yet, they forgot about all that God had already delivered them from!   God continued again and again to rescue them: freedom from the Egyptians, crossing the Red Sea, providing food and water in the wilderness…  Even after all of that, they failed to trust God to enable them to enter the Promised Land.  

                                                               Numbers 13:31-33

“But the other men who had explored the land with him disagreed. “We can’t go up against them! They are stronger than we are!” So they spread this bad report about the land among the Israelites: “The land we traveled through and explored will devour anyone who goes to live there. All the people we saw were huge. We even saw giants there, the descendants of Anak. Next to them we felt like grasshoppers, and that’s what they thought, too!””

How often are our lives like that of the Israelites?  Constantly complaining about our situation and forgetting of all that God has done for us.  Sometimes we let reality take over and forget what God can do in and through us.  I know I should have faith that God would _______ (fill in the blank), but I really don’t think that it’s possible and maybe I should just do it my way…  When things seem out of control, we are quick to find a solution.  The Israelites solution was to go back to Egypt (Numbers 14:4). Yet, if they would have looked at the larger perspective, they would have realized what God was about to do for them.  Instead of moving forward they moved back and the consequence for that generation of Israelites was not entering the Promised Land (Numbers 14:26-38). 

Instead of complaining and focusing on our present trials, trust that God has a perfect plan.  He has taken care of you this far, won’t He continue to do so.

Matthew 14:28-31

“Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus.  But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?””

Spend some time thinking about the areas in your life where you lack faith.  Give those areas to God, and trust that He will get you where you need to be!  Learn from the Israelites - their lack of faith got them nowhere!  Remember: that never once did you ever walk alone, never once did God leave you alone – GOD IS FAITHFUL!

Deuteronomy 31:6

“So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.” 

“Never Once” by Matt Redman

Standing on this mountaintop
Looking just how far we’ve come
Knowing that for every step
You were with us

Kneeling on this battle ground
Seeing just how much You’ve done
Knowing every victory
Was Your power in us

Scars and struggles on the way
But with joy our hearts can say
Yes, our hearts can say

Never once did we ever walk alone
Never once did You leave us on our own
You are faithful, God, You are faithful

Kneeling on this battle ground
Seeing just how much You’ve done
Knowing every victory
Was Your power in us

Scars and struggles on the way
But with joy our hearts can say
Yes, our hearts can say

Never once did we ever walk alone
Never once did You leave us on our own
You are faithful, God, You are faithful
You are faithful, God, You are faithful

Scars and struggles on the way
But with joy our hearts can say
Never once did we ever walk alone
Carried by Your constant grace
Held within Your perfect peace
Never once, no, we never walk alone

Never once did we ever walk alone
Never once did You leave us on our own
You are faithful, God, You are faithful

Every step we are breathing in Your grace
Evermore we’ll be breathing out Your praise
You are faithful, God, You are faithful
You are faithful, God, You are faithful

You are faithful, God, You are faithful
You are faithful, God, You are faithful

Conformity...

What's with Leviticus?  Why do I need to know all of the different animals that are clean and unclean?  Why should I read through instructions on how to offer sacrifices?  This information does not seem relevant to me!  HOWEVER...  This book is able to help us, today, understand the laws and regulations of Bible time.  Leviticus is a reminder that God is holy and calls us to be holy.  How many times does the word "holy" appear in the book of Leviticus?  71 times (NLT)!  Wow, do you think God was calling his people to live a holy life?  What does it mean to be holy?  To be holy is to be set apart, to be different, to be unique. 

Leviticus 11:44-45

"For I am the Lord your God. You must consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy. So do not defile yourselves with any of these small animals that scurry along the ground. For I, the Lord, am the one who brought you up from the land of Egypt, that I might be your God. Therefore, you must be holy because I am holy." 

 

Just like the Israelites, we have a choice.  We can choose to be set apart, to be different, to be unique, to be "holy", or we can compromise with the world and let sin control our lives.  God gave the Israelites laws and restrictions to help guide them in remaining holy.  What laws and restrictions do we have today to help guide us in staying set apart?  The answer is simple, God's word - the ultimate guide to living holy in an unholy world.  Unlike the Israelites, we are surrounded by unbelievers everywhere we go, but God doesn't expect us to be holy all on our own.  With Jesus, we are called to live in the world, but not of the world! 

 

1 Peter 1:11-16

"So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. For the Scriptures say, "You must be holy because I am holy.""

 

Our focus should be on becoming conformed, inward and outwardly, to God's standards - to what God calls us.  We are to be completely devoted to God, set aside for His use, and set apart from sin.  We are to be holy, just as our Father is holy!  

 

Colossians 1:21-23

"This includes you who were once far away from God. You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions. Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault. But you must continue to believe this truth and stand firmly in it. Don’t drift away from the assurance you received when you heard the Good News. The Good News has been preached all over the world, and I, Paul, have been appointed as God’s servant to proclaim it."

 

We are not holy, until we choose to be.  By accepting Jesus and claiming His reconciliation - we can be holy!  So, the question is: Will you stand before God as holy and blameless without a single fault because of His cleansing? OR Will you stand before God carrying your sin because you choose to become of the world?

 

"Marvelous Light" by Charlie Hall

Into marvelous light I'm running
Out of darkness, out of shame
By the cross You are the truth
You are the life, You are the way

I once was fatherless
A stranger with no hope
Your kindness wakened me
Awakened me, from my sleep

Your love it beckons deeply
A call to come and die
By grace now I will come
And take this life, take Your life

Sin has lost it's power
Death has lost it's sting
From the grave You've risen
Victoriously

Into marvelous light I'm running
Out of darkness, out of shame
By the cross You are the truth
You are the life, You are the way

My dead heart now is beating
My deepest stains now clean
Your breath fills up my lungs
Now I'm free, now I'm free

Sin has lost it's power
Death has lost it's sting
From the grave You've risen
Victoriously

Into marvelous light I'm running
Out of darkness, out of shame
By the cross You are the truth
You are the life, You are the way

Into marvelous light I'm running
Out of darkness, out of shame
By the cross You are the truth
You are the life, You are the way

Lift my hands and spin around
See the light that I have found
Oh the marvelous light
Marvelous light

Sin has lost it's power
And death has lost it's sting
From the grave You've risen
Victoriously

Into marvelous light I'm running
Out of darkness, out of shame
By the cross You are the truth
You are the life, You are the way

Lift my hands and spin around
See the light that I have found
Oh the marvelous light
Marvelous light, marvelous light

 

 

Feeling Ordinary?

Have you ever woken up and felt completely tired and worn-out on "life"? Do you ever feel like the Israelites, wandering aimlessly through life and continually complaining about how terrible things are? It's so easy to get pulled into that frame of thinking. Yet, are you taking time to see how God is working around you, in you, and through you?

Throughout the entire book of Exodus, we can be reminded that God is in control! If God can deliver the Israelites from Egypt, provide food for them in the wilderness, forgive them for making and worshiping idols - then won't He also care for you in the same way. The last half of Exodus is instructions on how to build the Tabernacle. It's amazing how very detailed the instructions are! The Tabernacle was where God resided on earth. "Then the cloud covered the Tabernacle, and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle. Moses could no longer enter the Tabernacle because the cloud had settled down over it, and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle." (Exodus 40:34-35) God no longer needs a Tabernacle to reside in, because He lives in his church - the body of believers! That means God lives in those of us who have a personal relationship with Him - who have surrendered our lives completely to Him. So, that brings us back to the instructions that God gave the Israelites to build the Tabernacle... God knew exactly how to design and create His Tabernacle - His home. Go back and read through those instructions (starting at Exodus 25), keep this in mind: If we are now where God resides, don't you think that God knew and does know EXACTLY how to design and create you?! God knew and cared about every little detail of the Tabernacle. He was invested in it! God cares and knows every detail of your life, no matter how small, He is invested and interested in YOU! You are SO important to Him!

Matthew 10:29-31

"What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows."

1 Corinthians 3:16-17

"Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? God will destroy anyone who destroys this temple. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple."

The Israelites where given instructions on how to build the Tabernacle - much like God gives us instructions on how we are to live our lives. The question is: how obedient are you? Moses was careful that every detail and instruction was followed explicitly. Moses made sure that the Tabernacle wasn't just similar to the instructions, but that it was an EXACT replica of what the instructions stated. Shouldn't we too be that fastidious about our obedience to God?! God doesn't call "half-disciples" or "half-Christians" - He wants our all! We are to live surrendered to Him. When God calls you do to something, don't complain about it or say you can't do it. Trust that God knows you - EVERY DETAIL of you and He will enable you to do what you can't do on your own! So be obedient, do what you calls you to do, do it joyfully, do it completely, and do it exactly how He tells you to.

Romans 14:8-12

"If we live, it’s to honor the Lord. And if we die, it’s to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. Christ died and rose again for this very purpose—to be Lord both of the living and of the dead. So why do you condemn another believer? Why do you look down on another believer? Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For the Scriptures say, “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will confess and give praise to God.’” Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God."

2 Corinthians 5:14-15

"Either way, Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life. He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead,they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them."

Know this: You are a special creation, you are uniquely designed and created, and you have a purpose! You must live completely surrendered to God – obedient to every detail that He calls you to! What will you tell God, when you asks you to give a personal account of your life? Will you be ashamed or thankful that you lived obediently?

I Surrender All

All to Jesus, I surrender;
All to Him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust Him,
In His presence daily live.

I surrender all, I surrender all,
All to Thee, my blessèd Savior,
I surrender all.

All to Jesus I surrender;
Humbly at His feet I bow,
Worldly pleasures all forsaken;
Take me, Jesus, take me now.

All to Jesus, I surrender;
Make me, Savior, wholly Thine;
Let me feel the Holy Spirit,
Truly know that Thou art mine.

All to Jesus, I surrender;
Lord, I give myself to Thee;
Fill me with Thy love and power;
Let Thy blessing fall on me

All to Jesus I surrender;
Now I feel the sacred flame.
O the joy of full salvation!
Glory, glory, to His Name!

Becoming Desensitized

When have you been in trouble and cried out to the Lord to rescue you? Is that prayer made in desperation; a way to hopefully free you from the immediate situation that presents itself? I too have been guilty of this! Today, God reminded me of the importance of not just turning to him in the bad, but faithfully serving Him always!

Moses was sent by God to free the Israelites from the Egyptians, yet Pharaoh's heart remained hard time and time again! Do you remember Pharaoh's response after each plague? Pharaoh would repent, confessing that he was wrong and begged Moses to have the Lord end the plagues, and he would let the Israelites go (Exodus 8:8; 9:27-28; 10:16-17). However, as soon as the immediate trouble had ended, the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart (Exodus 7:13; 8:15, 19, 32; 9:7, 12, 34-35; 10:20, 27). Did God intentionally harden Pharaoh’s heart? No, God gave Pharaoh multiple opportunities to heed His warnings. Yet because Pharaoh was stubborn he refused to listen. Pharaoh choose on his own to resist God. God hardening his heart was only a confirmation of what Pharaoh freely choose. How many times do you ignore God's warnings? The more you resist and ignore God, the harder and harder it will be to hear his voice! Now is the time to act!

Romans 2:5-11

"But because you are stubborn and refuse to turn from your sin, you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself. For a day of anger is coming, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. He will judge everyone according to what they have done. He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers. But he will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and instead live lives of wickedness. There will be trouble and calamity for everyone who keeps on doing what is evil—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. But there will be glory and honor and peace from God for all who do good—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism."

Have you ever noticed that the more we allow negative things into our lives – we become less aware of its presence? For example, television and movies... I think of the movie "Click" with Adam Sandler. If you've seen that movie, were you completely deaf to the foul language that filled each and every conversation? Were you aware of the sexual innuendos that covered the screen? Now, I know this because I've seen about half of the movie. But I am blessed with parents that are sensitive to the Holy Spirit and obedient to his voice, because of that we recognized these things and walked out of the movie theater while the movie was still playing! How obedient are you to the Spirit?  Have you become desensitized like Pharaoh?  Not hearing the Spirit’s still soft voice.  Do not be dominated by sinful nature, but be filled with the Spirit of God, becoming sensitive to His voice!

Romans 8:5-8

"Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God."

 “Slow Fade” by Casting Crowns

Be careful little eyes what you see
It's the second glance that ties your hands as darkness pulls the strings
Be careful little feet where you go
For it's the little feet behind you that are sure to follow

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
It's a slow fade, it's a slow fade

Be careful little ears what you hear
When flattery leads to compromise, the end is always near
Be careful little lips what you say
For empty words and promises lead broken hearts astray

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day

The journey from your mind to your hands
Is shorter than you're thinking
Be careful if you think you stand
You just might be sinking

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
Daddies never crumble in a day
Families never crumble in a day

Oh be careful little eyes what see
Oh be careful little eyes what you see
For the Father up above is looking down in love
Oh be careful little eyes what you see